Satellite Image Shows Gazans Mobbing Aid Trucks

Even from orbit, the signs of anguish and desperation were visible.

On Saturday, a satellite passing over the Gaza Strip captured an image of hundreds of people converging on a convoy of aid trucks as they threaded through mounds of rubble in the southern part of the territory.

It was not the first time since the war broke out in 2023 between Israel and Hamas militants that trucks bearing desperately needed humanitarian supplies were besieged before they reached their destination.

But Gaza is hungrier than ever now.

As aid groups warn of looming famine, Palestinians have been killed trying to get food. Some have died in Israel gunfire at the few aid sites now operating in the territory. Others were shot as they mobbed aid trucks that had just crossed the border. Earlier this month, at least 20 people were killed in a stampede at an aid site.

While many Gazans brave the chaos in a frantic effort to feed their families, they often return home with empty hands. Some of those who do emerge victorious with, say, a bag of flour, have more mercenary motives: They take the goods to sell at markets.

The prices there are often exorbitant, but many Gazans, too old or weak, or too afraid to risk the melees, have little choice but to pay.

Little is known about the dozen or so aid trucks shown in the satellite image, which was released on Monday by Planet Labs, a commercial Earth-imaging company. It remained unclear exactly what they were carrying and where they were bound before they were caught up in the crowd.

Videos taken on the ground about the same time show large crowds of men jostling each other and milling about the trucks. Dozens of men scaled the sides of the vehicles to get at the cargo. People can be seen emerging with boxes, including one marked “food rations.”

From the air, many of the trucks are so covered with people that they are hard to make out. But even from the ground, they are barely recognizable.

Aaron Boxerman contributed reporting. Chevaz Clarke contributed video production.